Telegram-herald., 1887-07-08
CLEVELAND DECLINES
WILL NOT VISIT THs sAcAnPssKr.
A Lsngthy statement Of hls Esssoas for
hsm4iasns Asay-fhlaks k1is Pea
saes -hoatd Not Mar tEe Hsr-
msay of the Oxcsssoa


sr. L0Vls. Jaly The following letter.
addressed TO the Mayor OF this city, who
vas chairman Of the committee of repre-
sentative citizens Of ST. Louis. Who verbal
ly invited the President 70 visit this city
during the encampment Of the q. A. r.
next September Is printed in the Rspaablt-
eaa this morning. and explains Itself with
o0t further comment.
ExEcVrIyE MANSION.
Washington. July 4, 1881.
To Hon. David <. Francs. Mayor and Chairman.
Nj DEAK slE.-When / received the ex-
tremely cordial and gratifying invitation
from the citizens Of st. Louis, rendered by
a number OF her representative men 10 With
that city during the National Encamp-
Insnt OF the Grand Army OF the RepuO-
lie, ! had been contemplating Tor some
time an acceptance OF an Invitation from
that organization 20 the same elect,
and have considered the pleasure which
II would afford me II il should be possible
20 meet. not only the members Of the Grand
Army, bur the people Of ST. Louis and
other cities IN the West, which the occa-
sion woald give me an opportunity 10 visit.
Ihe exactlOns OF my public duties l ielt 10
De 50 uncertain, however. that when first
confronted by the delegation Of which you
were the head | expected TO do no more at
that time than 10 promise a consideration
OF the double invitation tepdered me, and
express the pleasure il would give me TO ac-
cept thereafter, if possible. But the
cordiality and sincerity OF your presenta-
ton, reinforced by tie hesrtiness of the peo-
10
that l could not resist the feeling
which prompted me TO assure you
on that spot that | would be with you
and the Grand Army OF the Republic
at the time designated. if nothing hap
pened IN the meantime absolutely to pre-
vent my leaving Washington. Immedi-
ately upon the public announcement of
this conclusion. expressions emanating
from certain important members of the
Grand Army of the Republic, and increas-
ing in volume and viruence constrained
me to review my acceptance of these invi-
tations The expressions referred TO go TO
the extent of declaring that 1 would be an
unwelcome guest at the time and place of
the National encampment. This statement
is based, as well as / can judge, upon cer-
tam official acts OF mine, involving impor-
tant public interests, done under the re-
straints and obligations OF my oath of
Office, which do not appear to accord
with the wishes of some members OF
the Grand Army of the Republic.
refnse 10 believe that this
organization, which is founded upon patri-
otto ideas, composed very largely of men
entitled 10 lasting honor and consideration.
and whose crOwning glory il should be that
they are American citizens as we'll as vet
eran soldiers. deem II part of their mis-
sion TO compass any object or purpose by
attempting to lntinidate the executive or
coerce those charged with making and exc
cutting the laws. And YET the expressions
10 which refer indicated such a prevalence
of unfriendly feeling, and such menace 10
an occasion which should be harmonious,
peaceful and cordial, sthat they cannot be
Ignored. l beg you TO understand that [
am not conscious OF any act OF mine which
should make NE fear TO meet the Grand
Army of the Republic. or any other assem-
blage OF my fellow citizens. The account
of my. official stewardship is always ready
Tor presentation 10 my counlrylnen.
should not be frank il failed 10 con-
fest, while disclaimiug all resentment,
that 1 have been hurt by the un-
worthy and wsnton attacks upon me
growing out OF this matter, and the reck-
less manner in which nay actions and
motives have been misrepIesented, both
publicly and privately; for which, how
ever, the Grand Army of the Republic as
body Is by no means responsible. The
threats of personal violence and harm in
case undertake the trip in question which
scores of misguided, unbalanced men. un-
der the stimulation OF an excited feeling.
made, are not even considered. Rather
than abandon my visit 10 the West and
your citizens, | might. if | alone
were concerned, submit to the Insult to
which. 1t is quite openly asserted. would |
be helplessly subjected. il present at the |
But | should bear with me |
there the peoples highest Office, the dig |
nity of which must project and I believe |
that neither the Grand Army as an organi- |
zation. nor anything Like a |
majority of its members, would |
ever encourage any scandalous attack |
upon it. If, however. among the member |
ship of this body there are some, as certain |
Iy seems to be the case. determined To de- |
nounce me and my official acts at the ns- |
tional encampment, / believe they should i
De permitted 10 do so unrestrainei bv my 1
presence as a guest Of the organization. or I
ls guest OF the hOspitable city in which 1
heir meeting is held. A number of Grand |
Army posts have sIgnihed their intention. I
am informed, TO remain away from the 4
in case | visit TIE city az thar I
A+&-@[s
such an excuse. ! feel that I ought pot 10
BE- the cause CT such non-attendancs. The
lime and place OF the encampment were
liked long before my invitations were re-
'eived- Those desiring 10 participate in its
proceedings should be first REGARDED.
iEd nothing should be permitted TO
interfere with their intentions.
Another consideration, of more impor-
,anee than al others, remains to be noticed.
ihe Iact was referred 10 by you when you /
verbally presented the invitation OF the |
itizsns Of -. Louis that the coming en-
,smpment Of the Grand Army Of the Re
public would Re first held in a Southern
State. suppose this fact was mentioned IS
. pleasing INDIGESTION OF the fraternal feeling
ssi gaining ground throughout the entire |
and. an hailed BY every patriotic citizen
Is an earnest that the Union hss really and /
n fact been saved in sentiment and spjrit
With al the benefits Il vouchsafes to a united
)eople. | cannot nd myself Of the belief
bat The east diseori on this propitious oc-
aston might retsr8 the progress Of the
eminent OF common brotherhood which
he Gland Army Of the Republic has 90
God A opportunity TO increase and foster.
certainly ought not 70 be the cause Of
uch disc0rd IN any event or upon any pre-
ext
it seems to ne that 7ou and the citizens |
Z st. Louis hrs entitled 20 this anrsservef
tstement Of the conditions which con
trained ne 10 forego my contemplated
isit, and 10 withdraw nv acceptance of
our invitation. Ny presence in vonr citv
Z The 1me you have Indicated can De Of /
ittlc moment compared With the impor-
s1ce 8f the cordial and harmonious enter
ainu1ent Of your other gaeets I assure 1
on u that abandon my pisn without The
ssss personal feeling except rserst. con
tFsined thereto 5y sense Of d1t7. scta-
I'D By desire - save any EN- nbsrrsssusnt
. tie people II 81. Loris OF their expersed
rests. and With heart fun % srssefal az
;sfior Of the sf7csre and u,af-a~sa-s |